Budget Neglect: Reps summon FCT Minister, warn of sanctions
The House of Representatives Committee on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters has summoned the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mrs Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, demanding her appearance before the committee on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
The summons followed the Minister’s failure to honor a prior invitation to a critical budget defense session—an act lawmakers described as a blatant disregard for parliamentary oversight and the interests of FCT residents.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Fredrick Agbedi, issued the directive in Abuja on Monday, expressing frustration that only three out of 14 agencies under the Minister’s supervision appeared before the committee.
Agbedi, visibly displeased, warned that the House would not hesitate to invoke its constitutional powers against the Minister should she fail to appear as summoned. He emphasized the urgency of the budget process, noting that President Bola Tinubu had already urged the legislature to expedite its work on the 2025 appropriation.
“The Minister was duly invited, along with the agencies under her purview. This continued absence is not just negligent—it’s an affront to the people of the FCT whom we represent,” Agbedi stated.
He further reminded the Minister that the committee directly addresses the grassroots needs of FCT residents. “We are not just another oversight body; we are deeply entrenched in the daily lives of FCT citizens. This committee touches the very fabric of their existence,” he added.
Also speaking, Rep. Paul Kalejaye (APC, Lagos) condemned the Minister’s no-show, describing it as a direct challenge to the legislature’s authority.
“This is not optional. The constitution empowers us to enforce compliance. Her absence is unacceptable and undermines the democratic process,” Kalejaye said.
The committee called on President Tinubu to intervene urgently and ensure that executive appointees respect legislative invitations, especially on matters as critical as the national budget.
